Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

For reference purposes amendments Nos 2, 6, 8, 14 and 26 are in the second group of amendments which concerns consultation with the Higher Education Authority.

This group of amendments provides for clarification on consultation between the Higher Education Authority and the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland, QQAAI, when the latter carries out certain functions in respect of institutions covered by the Higher Education Authority. These functions include the issuing of quality assurance guidelines and effectiveness review procedures, carrying out reviews of quality assurance procedures in institutions, undertaking quality reviews and reviewing the implementation of procedures for access, transfer and progression in those institutions.

These are technical amendments that clarify the precise institutions concerned by referring to the definition of higher education institutions used in the Higher Education Authority Act 1971.